Frisco, TX – Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk announced today that the club has acquired center Derek Roy (DAIR-ihk ROI) from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for forward Steve Ott and defenseman Adam Pardy.

Roy, 29, has played the last eight seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, including a 69-point year (26 goals) in 2009-10; a 70-point campaign (28 goals) in 2008-09 and an 81-point season (32 goals) in 2007-08.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound forward broke into the NHL with Buffalo in 2003-04 after being selected by the Sabres in the second round (No. 32 overall) of the 2001 NHL Draft. Since then, Roy has more assists (266) and games played (549) than any other Sabre, and earned the third-most goals (161) and points (427).

In Buffalo franchise history, Roy is tied for the most regular season overtime goals (6) and he ranks ninth in assists. He has also appeared in 41 career NHL playoff games, including two trips to the Eastern Conference Finals. In all, he has earned 7 goals and 18 assists for 25 points in his playoff career.

“Derek Roy is a legitimate top two line center, and has been productive throughout his career,” Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk said. “He is a proven commodity that helps fill a void at a position of need for our club. We believe Derek helps make our hockey club better and we are happy to have him.”

A native of Ottawa, Roy earned a silver medal for Canada during the 2003 World Junior Championships and also won silver at the 2008 World Championships.

Roy was named the 2000 Ontario Hockey League Rookie of the Year with the Kitchener Rangers, and in 2003, captained the club to OHL and Memorial Cup championships. He was awarded the Stafford Smythe Memorial Trophy as Memorial Cup MVP, as he tallied 32 points in 21 playoff games en route to the crown.

Comments

Wish the Wings had landed Ott. Heart and Soul kind of guy.

Posted by
Hippy Dave
from Portland by way of Detroit on 07/02/12 at 07:41 PM ET

Roy supposedly wanted out, and Ott’s a useful player. Still can’t help but think that Buffalo’s more in need of top 2 centers than third line shift disturbers. Particularly when they already have a serviceable one in Kaleta.

I think this is one that could benefit both clubs and have each looking like the winner. Derek Roy is clearly the best player in the trade, but he’s looked off his game quite often these last few seasons. A change of scenery would do him some good I imagine. Perhaps he can return to his 30 goal form.

Ott adds grit but let’s not act like the guy doesn’t have game. 39 points last year, nothing to sneeze at. Sure, they have Kaleta already, but who says you can’t have more than one pest. As for Pardy, it looked to be a numbers game in Dallas on D and he was expendable. Solid player but I don’t see him being all that relevant in Buffalo either.